Buhari to inaugurate basic health provision fund in Osogbo

As part of the Federal Government’s efforts to improve basic health care in the country, President Muhammadu Buhari will perform the national inauguration of the basic health provision fund in Osogbo, the Osun state capital.

Dr Niyi Oginni, the Executive Director of Osun Health Insurance Scheme, who disclosed this at a news conference on Sunday in Osogbo, said the flag off would be performed by the President and the Health Minister, Prof. Isaac Adewole, on September 20.

Oginni said that the basic health provision fund, which was signed into law under section 11 of 2014 Health Act, would be inaugurated along side Osun Health Insurance Scheme by the President.

He said that after the ceremony, malaria treatment, high blood check, diabetics screening would be free of charge for all residents.

Oginni said that under the scheme, delivery, anti-natal, post-natal and family planning would be free for pregnant women, while immunisation would be free for children.

He said other pilot states where the basic health fund scheme would be inaugurated include Abia, Niger, Katsina, Yobe and Edo.

Oginni said the basic health fund would be disbursed through the State Primary Health Care Development Agency and Social Health Insurance scheme.

He said the primary health care development agency would be responsible for personnel, infrastructure and purchase of consumables and drugs.

“While the health insurance scheme will capture the data of those who have received services under the basic health fund,” he said.

Oginni explained that under the insurance scheme, those who require further services, which basic health fund could not cover, would have to be enrolled into the scheme.

He said for civil servants and those in organised formal sector, who would be enrolled into the scheme, 1.5 per cent would be deducted from their basic salary while their employers would contribute 3 per cent on a monthly basis.

He said the beneficiaries could add their spouse and four children who are under the age of 18 years.

He said those in the informal sector could also be enrolled under the scheme.

Oginni said the health insurance scheme would provide robust health services for the people of the state.